KUCHING: The younger generation must be exposed early to the workings of parliamentary democracy, said State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, as he welcomed the inaugural session of the UiTM Sarawak Branch Student Parliament held at the DUN Complex today.
A total of 150 student leaders from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), comprising presidents and vice-presidents of various student associations, participated in the programme which marked the first time in the DUN’s history that such an initiative has been conducted within its chambers.
“I have been waiting for this because we have to train the young and expose them to parliamentary practice, for them to get the atmosphere, what it is like in a chamber debating.
“We train the young so that they are not ‘pelanduk masuk kampung’ (out-of-place people entering an unfamiliar place).
“We introduce them to the building, the chambers, and our parliamentary system based on the Westminster model.
“With this exposure, they will be able to conduct debates, appoint a speaker, and understand the process,” he told a press conference after officiating at the event at the DUN Complex here today.
The UiTM Student Parliament Programme, now in its third edition, aims to provide hands-on experience in parliamentary-style debates.
UiTM Sarawak Branch Rector, Prof. Dr Firdaus Abdullah, was proud of the initiative, which is entirely led by student representatives from the Student Representative Council.
“The Student Parliament is a platform for our future leaders. It gives them not only the experience of parliamentary debate but also the responsibility to organise, lead and deliver a high-impact programme,” he said.
Dr Firdaus added that the initiative enhances students’ understanding of Malaysia’s democratic institutions and is an important stepping stone as they prepare to join the professional world after graduation.
“This is more than a simulation. It is real-life civic education, and it instils in them the confidence and competence needed to serve society meaningfully in the future,” he said.
